Glycemic Control in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery: A Different Perspective

Background: Hyperglycemia during coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) strongly predicts intra- and post-operative adverse consequences. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the quality of glycemic management during CABG in an academic center regarding peripheral blood and coronary sinus values. Methods: This prospective descriptive study encompassed 55 eligible patients undergoing on-pump CABG surgery in 2020. Peripheral blood glucose (BG) was measured four times, before anesthesia induction (T0), before cardiopulmonary bypass pump (CPB) (T1), during CPB (T2), at the end of CPB (T3), and at the end of surgery (T4). The surgeon also took a sample of the coronary sinus BG. Results: The BG variations from T0 to T4 were statistically significant (P < 0.0001). The higher values detected in the ASA class III compared to ASA classes II were statistically significant at T1 (P = 0.01) and T2 (P = 0.025): patients with the higher BMI showed the higher levels of BG. In this regard, the differences were significant at T0 (P = 0.0001), T2 (P = 0.004), and T3 (P = 0.015). Regarding coronary sinus, the mean BG was 222.18 ± 75.74 mg/dL. It was also observed that the ASA class III (P = 0.001), longer duration of CPB (P = 0.021), higher IV fluid volume administrated during surgery (P = 0.023), higher BMI (P = 0.0001), and less urine volume at the end of surgery (P = 0.049) were significantly associated with the higher BG of the coronary sinus. Conclusions: The existing glycemic management protocols on the CABG patients were acceptable in our hospital. However, the BG level of the coronary sinus was higher than the peripheral one.

The Effect of Pneumoperitoneum-induced Hypertension During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Under General Anesthesia on Postoperative Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: Acute postoperative pain is a significant cause of morbidities. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intraoperative blood pressure during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia on postoperative pain in patients without underlying disorders. Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 72 patients undergoing general anesthesia for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A with higher than baseline preoperative blood pressure (MAP allowed to increase up to 20% higher than baseline MAP by inducing pneumoperitoneum) and group B with normal to low blood pressure (MAP deliberately controlled at a tight limit from normal baseline MAP values to 20% less than baseline by titrating TNG infusion). The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) after 2, 8, 12, and 24 hours of surgery, and the total dose of meperidine used to manage postoperative pain were recorded and compared between the two groups. Results: The pain scores in group A were significantly lower than group B (P = 0.001). The postoperative analgesia request time was different between the two groups (P = 0.53). During the first 24 hours, the total meperidine consumption dose in group A was significantly lower than in group B (P = 0.001). Conclusions: High intraoperative blood pressure may affect the postoperative pain after laparoscopic cholecystectomy and lead to less postoperative pain score and analgesic requirements.

Evaluating the Importance of Patient Blood Management During COVID-19 Pandemic

: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for blood products may decrease as the health care system shifts toward treating the increased number of patients afflicted with COVID-19 and delaying selective surgeries and emergency procedures. One of the most important problems for blood transfusion services during COVID-19 pandemic is the reduction in the number of donors and a decrease in blood stocks. This happens due to the limitations of attendance of donors in blood centers, lack of awareness, misinformation, fear of being infected while donating blood, and restricting the freedom of blood collection teams to attend public places. Blood transfusion services should be prepared and well-responded in a timely manner. In this regard, appropriate use of blood, diminishing unnecessary transfusions, and implementation of patient blood management (PBM) principles are considered as significant measurements. PBM can help maintain blood supply throughout the crisis and reduce the pressure on blood demand. As a result, blood products can be saved for patients who need it urgently. PBM focuses on the patient, as well as the conditions that make patients transfuse blood, such as blood loss, coagulopathy, platelet dysfunction, and anemia. Thus, the majority of health systems in different countries have made recommendations to the PBM in hospitals.

A Comparative Study on the Effects of Ketofol, Dexmedetomidine, and Isofol in Anesthesia of Candidates for Dilatation and Curettage

Background: Dilatation and curettage (D & C) is one of the relatively common surgeries among women. Familiarity with the analgesics, along with their different uses and specific characteristics, can help to determine the best and most appropriate drug to control pain in the patients. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effects of ketofol, dexmedetomidine, and isofol in anesthesia of candidates for D & C. Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial, 150 candidates for D & C surgeries with ASA class 1 and 2 were included. Patients were randomly divided into three groups. The first group received ketamine + propofol, the second group received dexmedetomidine, and the third group received isofol (isoflurane + propofol). Any hemodynamic changes or respiratory disorders, including apnea or hypoventilation, drop in the level of blood oxygen saturation, and the need for respiratory support, were recorded and compared. Results: Hypoventilation was observed in 47 patients in isofol group, 18 in the dexmedetomidine group, and 42 in ketofol group. Also, 48 patients in the isofol group, eight in the dexmedetomidine group, and 33 in the ketofol group experienced apnea. Moreover, 17 patients in the dexmedetomidine group, 35 in the ketofol group, and eight in the isofol group experienced bradycardia. The rate of bradycardia was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group (70%) compared to the other two groups, and the rate of hypotension was significantly higher in the isofol group (P = 0.001). Conclusions: According to the results, dexmedetomidine was associated with fewer complications during general anesthesia in D & C surgery.

Comparison of Intraperitoneal Bupivacaine and Intravenous Ketorolac for Postoperative Pain Management Following Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy

Background: Postoperative pain following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) arises from incision sites and residual intraperitoneal CO2 gas. Opioids as a class of pain-relieving drugs are broadly used to control pain after LC; however, these drugs can cause various side effects. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine with that of intravenous ketorolac in managing postoperative pain in patients who had undergone LC. Methods: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was carried out on patients who had undergone LC. Ninety patients who had undergone elective LC were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 30 for each group). Group A received 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine solution intraperitoneally at the end of the operation; group B received 30 mg of ketorolac intravenously 30 minutes before surgery and every 8 hours after surgery, and patients in group C received normal saline intraperitoneally and intravenous injection. The patients were postoperatively assessed for Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores, postoperative opioid consumption, shoulder pain, side effects (sedation, nausea, and vomiting), and satisfaction. The data were analyzed using SPSS. P values < 0.05 were considered significant. Results: The intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine and intravenous injection of ketorolac were significantly effective in reducing postoperative abdominal pain, shoulder pain, and incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to the placebo group (P < 0.001). Although intraperitoneal bupivacaine and intravenous ketorolac had no significant difference in pain relief compared with each other, patients in both bupivacaine and ketorolac groups were significantly more satisfied with their analgesia compared to the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Intraperitoneal injection of bupivacaine and intravenous injection of ketorolac both are safe and effective methods to control pain, nausea, and vomiting after LC.

Mirogabalin as a Novel Gabapentinoid for the Treatment of Chronic Pain Conditions: An Analysis of Current Evidence

: Neuropathic pain has presented a challenge for physicians to treat and often requires a multimodal approach with both pharmacologic and lifestyle interventions. Mirogabalin, a potent, selective ligand of the α2δ-1 and α2δ-2 subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), provides analgesia by inhibiting neurotransmitter release at the presynaptic end of the neuron. Mirogabalin offers more sustained analgesia than its gabapentinoid counterparts in addition to a wider safety margin for adverse events. Recent clinical trials of mirogabalin have demonstrated both efficacy and tolerability of the drug for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain and postherpetic neuralgia, leading to its approval in Japan. While still not yet FDA approved, mirogabalin is still in its infancy and offers potential into the treatment of neuropathic pain and its associated comorbidities.

A Pusher and a Clip Applied to Hind Paws Under Isoflurane Sedation to Evaluate Neuropathic Pain in a CCI Model

: Rodent behavior assessments have been developed to evaluate pain. However, their fidgety activity and reactivity to human contact make it hard to activate animals in a consistent manner and get uniform and trustworthy responses. The present study was performed on prairie voles (aged 8 weeks). Sham (7 male prairie voles) and chronic constriction injury (CCI) (8 male prairie voles) rodents were investigated before surgery and four and seven days later. Each animal was assessed for nociceptive behavior. Pressure and mechanical threshold tests were conducted by the application of three different pushers to the center of hind paws and arterial clips to the toes while sedated with isoflurane. The CCI affected right lower extremity prominently increased nociceptive behavior scores four and seven days after the experiment, and the CCI affected right hind paw prominently decreased pressure and mechanical threshold tests four and seven days after the experiment . The pressure and mechanical thresholds were relevant to the scorings of nociceptive behavior in CCI model animals.

Investigating the Effect of Expiratory Time Constant on Outcome in Intubated Patients with Acute Respiratory Failure Caused by COVID-19 in Critical Care Unit: A Research Study

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has a high prevalence and mortality worldwide. Thousands of patients with acute respiratory failure caused by COVID-19 are daily hospitalized in intensive care units (ICUs) around the world. Many of these patients require full mechanical respiratory support and long-term ventilator use. Using different ventilators and calculating important variables can be helpful in meeting therapeutic needs of patients. Objectives: The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of expiratory time constant (RCEXP) on the course of treatment and duration of mechanical ventilation in patients with acute respiratory failure hospitalized in ICU. Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 patients with acute respiratory failure who were hospitalized in the ICU and underwent mechanical ventilation due to COVID-19 in the first six months of 2020. The variables of RCEXP, lung compliance and lung resistance in all patients were recorded daily and analyzed. Then, based on clinical outcome, the patients were divided into two groups: the patients with wean outcome (N = 40) and those with death outcome (N = 20). Results: The mean ± SD of lung compliance in patients who were separated from ventilator and patients with death outcome were 74.73 (18.58) mL/cm H2O and 36.92 (10.56) mL/cm H2O, respectively, which was statistically significant (P = 0.001). The mean ± SD of lung resistance in patients who were separated from ventilator and patients with death outcome were calculated at 9.25 (4.62) and 14 (6.5), respectively, which was statistically significant (P = 0.015). Also, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of mean ± SD of RCEXP (0.67 (0.23) vs. 0.49 (0.19), P = 0.010). Conclusions: According to the results of this study, there was a significant difference between high resistance, low compliance, RCEXP, and weaning success of intubation in patients hospitalized in the ICU.

Comparison of the Effect of Propofol and Dexmedetomidine on Hemodynamic Parameters and Stress Response Hormones During Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy Surgery

Background: General anesthesia induces endocrine, immunologic, and metabolic responses. Anesthetic drugs affect the endocrine system by changing the level of stress hormones and hemodynamic variables of the patient. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propofol and dexmedetomidine on hemodynamic parameters and stress-induced hormones in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) surgery. Methods: Seventy patients of elective LC were included in this study. The patients were randomly assigned into two equal groups of propofol (75 µg/kg/min) and dexmedetomidine (0.5 µg/kg/hour) as anesthesia maintenance. Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate and mean atrial pressure), blood sugar, and serum epinephrine level were monitored and recorded from pre-anesthesia period to 10 min after entry to post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) according to a planned method. Results: Heart rate and mean atrial pressure changes were significantly lower in dexmedetomidine group in all stages compared to propofol group (P < 0.001). Also, the rises in blood glucose and serum epinephrine levels in the dexmedetomidine group were significantly higher than in the propofol group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Anesthesia maintenance by dexmedetomidine showed a significant difference in hemodynamic parameters in comparison with propofol. While dexmedetomidine had better effects on controlling hemodynamic parameters, propofol showed better effects on decreasing stress hormones, and it can be suggested for LC surgery.